Quote:Neither I nor (in my opinion) anyone else can fairly judge the head coach after only two seasons given the black hole that this team was left in by former GM Gene Smith. We need to temper our expectations! Yup, maybe we were overly hyped by the talking heads about the direction of the team. Consequently, when the team lost (and lost badly) in it's first two games this season, the cries of woe and dismay rattled the roof. This fan base has had to put up with too many years of horrible game day performance and have choked on the long list of excuses they've been fed. Frankly, it doesn't help when, after the team has gotten it's doors blown off in two consecutive games, the head coach comes out smiling and spouting Tony Robbin'esk platitudes.

 

Still... it is only two games out of a sixteen game schedule. The truly bad part of this is that one of those drubbings the Jags took was a game in which they were expected to be competitive. To say that this was a 'sobering' experience would be an understatement. 41-10... and the Redskins did that without their starting quarterback and a key wide receiver. How could the Jags, after two drafts still be getting blown out like this? We know from the first half of the Eagles game that the defense is capable of stuffing a good teams offense. What is happening that is crushing the defenses ability to stop other teams? The answer is our offense.... or more to the point, the lack thereof.

 

Gus was the defensive coordinator of the seahawks. We know they had a very good defense, and we know that Gus has essentially instituted that same defensive plan here. He has gone so far as to bring former seahawk defenders here to help run it. We know it can work, but it's not working here. The difference is that in Seattle, along with a very good defense, they had a very effective offense.

 

It has been said that defense wins games, and maybe that's true. However, the defense can't stay on the field the majority of the time in a game or they will be too tired to effectively perform. For the defense to have a chance to 'catch their breath', the offense must be able to sustain drives. The ability to convert 3rd downs is key to this and the Jaguars are among the leagues worst performing team in this category.

 

Right now, there is nobody on the field for our offense who gives the impression of having the ability to turn things around. We have a poor offensive line due to over-paid/sub-par veteran talent, and inexperienced rookies. The o-line is the key to any offense being able to sustain drives. You need the ability... or at least the threat... of a run game to sustain drives. You can't run if your o-line can't run block effectively.

 

Sometimes, a really good quarterback can minimize the effect of a poor line by being mobile, making smart and fast decisions, and having exceptionally good passing ability. We hope that this is a quality that we will see once Blake Bortles takes the field. Chad Henne is a game manager/backup quarterback and is doing the best he can; but his best isn't good enough given the shortcomings of our o-line. Result; 3 and out. Repeat over, and over. The defense is on the field too long too quickly and gets 'gassed'. The Jags get blown out yet again.

 

What we have on our offensive line isn't Gus Bradley fault. He is the head coach, not the general manager. He has to play with what he's dealt. Our GM can only draft what is available at the time or acquire in f/a. He has had only two drafts in which to, essentially, draft a whole new team. Not everything needed is available in every draft. Pro bowl linemen do not grow on trees.

 

So where then does that leave the fans of the Jaguars? In spite of the poor showing of the first two games, there is hope; believe it or not, the franchise actually is moving in the right direction to become contenders once again. But we are not realistically in the window this season for that to happen. We are still going to be on the receiving end of the occasional 'drubbing' due to our offensive line shortcomings. The line will get better as the season progresses and wins will result; but until then, the only thing the fans can do is endure.... and wait. There is no reason to want to throw Gus out after only two seasons. Give him three seasons; if at the end of the 2015 season the Jags are not 8-8 or better, then there is reason to implore Khan to do something. Until then, enjoy what you can, and endure what you must.

 

By the way, it should go without saying that this is all just my opinion. I'm no sports authority...